Patent GB-1315027-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for arranging papers in stacks of pre-selected count
IPC: B65H33/08
Filed: 1970-11-14
Abstract: 1315027 Sheet-delivery apparatus GRAPHIC ENGS Inc 14 Nov 1970 54292/70 Heading B8R Sheets or the like leaving a machine continuously in an overlapping stream are separated into counted batches by apparatus comprising (a) a counter detecting the passage of the sheets and emitting a pulse when a predetermined number of sheets has passed it, (b) means actuated by the pulse to halt the sheets upstream of the counted sheets so as to form a gap in the sheet stream, (c) detector means to cause the upstream sheets to resume their forward movement when the gap passes a particular point, (d) a limit stop against which the counted sheets are conveyed to form them into a stack, (e) means detecting when the last counted sheet has entered the stack and causing withdrawal of the limit stop to allow the stack to move forwardly beyond the stop and (f) means detecting the passage of the stack to restore the limit stop to its operative position in readiness to form a succeeding stack. The counter may be programmed so that each stack may contain a number of sheets differing from those of other stacks. As shown in Figs. 1, 3, the sheets from an overlapping stream on conveyers 22 drop on to a continuously driven conveyer 42, their trailing edges flipping downwardly and interrupting a beam of light of a photo-electric detector 92, which sends pulses to a counter 97 which, after a predetermined number of sheets has passed, emits a pulse causing the drive to the section of conveyer 22 nearest the conveyer 42 to be stopped, the upstream section of the conveyer continuing to pass sheets on to the stopped section. The conveyer 42 carries the counted sheets forwardly so that a gap is formed in the sheet stream. When the leading edge of the gap passes a detecting device 121, a switch 111 is operated to cause the drive to the conveyer section 22 to be resumed, and the operations are repeated to form separated sets of sheets. The conveyer 42 carries the sheets around a cylinder 62 and on to the horizontal run of a moving conveyer 64 which causes the leading set of sheets to abut against a limit stop 76 to form a stack, each sheet passing below the preceding sheet. When the last sheet of a set has passed into the stack a detector 182 can move upwardly and actuates a switch 170 energizing an electro-magnet 88 which withdraws the stop 76. The conveyer 64 now carries the stack beyond the stop 76 to a position where it operates on a detector 184 actuating a switch 172 which causes the stop 76 to be released so as to resume its operative position for forming the subsequent set of sheets into a stack. To prevent the sheets from forming an unmanageable pile on the conveyer section 22 whilst the section is stopped, a shoe 148, normally held raised by an electromagnet 122, is released and rests on the sheets. The side plates 25 carrying the conveyers 22 are adjustably pivoted at 34, Fig. 1. In one modified form (Figs. 7 to 9), the forward part of conveyer 22 is replaced by a roller (216) which is stopped and restarted to form the gaps in the stream of sheets. At the same time as the roller (126) is stopped, ramp members (228) are raised to lift the leading sheets off the continuously moving conveyer carrying the stream towards the roller. According to another modification (Figs. 10-12), the conveyer 22 runs continuously, and the gap is formed by members (264) which rise to lift the leading sheets off the conveyer and in co-operation with members temporarily stop the flow of sheets. Joggers.-Oscillating arms 41, Fig. 1, engage the lateral edges of thesheet stream to straighten up the sheets.